Dastkar Ranthambore craft project
As Ranthambore's protection tightened in the 1970s and 1980s, villages around the park lost access to grazing and wood. Dastkar, a crafts organisation, began working with local women in the late 1980s to build an income from traditional skills: hand block printing, appliqué, embroidery and patchwork, along with leather and wood work.
The project's centre and shop near the park sell cushion covers, quilts, bags and clothing made by the women, many showing tigers and village life. On a visit you can see artisans at work, hear how the project began, and understand the link between conservation and local livelihoods, one of the hard problems of every tiger reserve in India.
We visit in the middle of the day, between safaris, and combine it with a drive to a nearby village. Products are well priced, and buying here goes directly to the makers. Opening hours vary, so check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What can I buy at Dastkar Ranthambore
Hand block-printed and embroidered textiles, quilts, cushion covers, bags, clothing and small gifts, many featuring tigers and village scenes. Quality is good and prices fair. Purchases support the women artisans of villages around the park. Many pieces use hand block printing, appliqué and patchwork, and you can often see the artisans at work. We visit between safaris, and buying here goes directly to the makers. Opening hours vary, so check current status before you travel.
Why is Dastkar important for Ranthambore
It gives villagers around the park a livelihood that does not depend on grazing or wood from the forest, which helps reduce pressure on the reserve. It is a long-running example of linking conservation with local income. Dastkar began working with local women in the late 1980s, after villages lost access to grazing and wood as protection tightened. On a visit you hear how it started and see block printing, embroidery and patchwork in progress.
How long should I spend at Dastkar
One to two hours is enough to see the workshop, hear about the project and shop. It fits easily into the gap between the morning and afternoon safaris. We often combine it with a drive to a nearby village, which shows how families around the reserve live. Products are well priced, so allow time to shop. Opening hours vary, so check current status before you travel.
Also in Ranthambore
More hours to plan around
